Storage Compartments

[hideo]

(EDIT: Changed list of gear to also include placement of the items)

I'm moving from a 3dr Rav4 to a Sportivo and when cruising it is usual for me to have the following in my car: (for anyone interested, also how all the gear was kept in the RAV4)

GLOVE BOX:

service books

Digital Camera (pocket sized)

scanner DC plug, iPod charger, fm transmitter (when not in use)

radio scanner or handheld amateur radio

FRONT ELBOW REST:

iPod

important business cards

spare AA/AAA batteries

lighters

aftershave

bottle opener/corkscrew

MAP LIGHT/SUNGLASS COMPARTMENT:

subway cards and stamps

glasses cleaning cloth

UNDER STEERING WHEEL:

cigs

REAR ELBOW COMPARTMENTS:

tyre change tools (factory kit) (right)

picnic rug (Right)

auto. glass spray and cloth (Right)

travel blanket (Left)

CUP HOLDERS: (i HAD 4)

couple sml bottles of water

REAR ELBOW TRAYS:

tissue box

CONSOLE 'HOLE': (next to handbrake)

loose change

SEAT POUCH:

a computer or car magazine (passenger)

UNDER SEAT:

street directory (passenger)

carjack (factory position, in bracket) (driver)

Wow... I shocked myself once I wrote the list.

Anyway, it all fits, stays out of the way and I still have heaps of space for more stuff (maybe 3times this) and I'm wondering if you guys who already have a Corolla are ever short on space or wish there were more places to hide stuff? I'll have picked up my car by the time most of you read this but I'm still interested in your opinions, it's one of the first practical things I thought about.

(EDIT: Added the next paragraph)

At the time of writing this post, I've only seen the car for 10minutes and driven it about 4kms. I should have spent more time looking for 'hidey-holes' but I had more important things on my mind... like Liiiiiift!

(If you post a comment, please mention the body type you have; hatch/sedan/wagon)

Edited April 28, 2005 by hideo

[RedRolla86]

Mate you drive a car, you dont live in one!!! hehe

[BigBum]

Mate you drive a car, you dont live in one!!! hehe 

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LOL!!! hahaha... i agree with that. It looks like he's listed all of his house hold items on that list!

jk!!! i have a hatchback... and it certaintly has a alot of space when the back seats are folded down...

i usually hide my stuff underneath the liftup compartment in the back where the spare wheel is. if you take out ur spare wheel... hell u could fit a toilet in there!

Cheers!

Edited April 28, 2005 by BigBum

[50 lemons]

Theres plenty of room to store crap and drive a hatch.

I find the best way to keep my car clean is to keep as little crap in it as possible. I carry:

-log books and manual in glove box

-UBD in door pocket

-small selection of mp3 cds in the centre armrest console

-phone charger plugged in ciggie lighter

-ciggie plug in ashtray cos its too small and crap to carry anything else

-coins in panel on the right near drivers door

-sunnies in lidded hole under HVAC controls

-maccas tissues in same lidded hole (no need to buy tissues thanks maccas)

-12v work light and jumper leads in the tray next to spare tire (might need it)

-tarp in the back just incase of carrying messy crap

-jacket on back seat incase it gets cold

[02rolla]

I try not to carry too much crap around with me, the extra weight just uses more fuel and has a negtive impact on performace.

[SILVABULLIT]

Get a towbar and trailer by the sounds of that list!!

[Buddha]

My car is a wagon, so there's one big obvious storage advantage in the rear, but apart from that, the cargo floor is made up of 3 panels which lift off to reveal a shallow but very handy plastic compartment that covers the entire space.

Part of that is taken up with the cargo blind, but it still leaves a very useful space, and that whole compartment lifts up to reveal the spare wheel.

I think you'll find, though, its hard to go wrong with any Corolla, regardless of the body shape.

[hideo]

Alright guys, have a laugh, I know it's a long list, but there isn't anything there that's unused, nor is anything bulky. Nothing got in the way, it all had its place and as I mentioned, I could have hidden away another 3times this much.

As for weight and performance, aside from the street directory, service books and jack/tools (which will be in any car), the rest weighed less than a plastic bag full of groceries (trust me, I own a supermarket :P ) and would have fit in one (with maybe the blanket under my arm :)).

Now that it's in my driveway, I'm sure I'll have enough space to fit all these items in, but some compartments will be crowded and some items may be out of easy reach, I'll see how things work out in the coming week or so.

I'm a little disappointed in the glove box; the size would be ok if it was a better shape. Plugs and cables drop down behind the service books and they need to be removed and the books pushed back down before the glove box will close again. Aside from that, if the sideways opening area in the console (next to the handbrake) was a little deeper my mobile would stop falling out onto the passenger floor; it won't close with the phone in it and I do like to see who's calling (Bluetooth, naturally) or see it light up when an SMS comes in.

Anyway, I know these things will sort themselves out, one way or other.

[Azza]

Here is my list for you from my Sportivo's storage compartments...

LEFT DOOR POCKET:

Entertainment Book (for entertaining)

GLOVE BOX:

Service Books (for servicing)

Tissues (for snot)

Screwdriver (for screwing)

Pen (for writing)

Lollies (for the little kiddies)

CENTRE CONSOLE:

CD's (for listening to)

DASH CONSOLE (UNDER AIR CON):

Mobile Phone Ear Piece (for making phone calls)

Mobile Phone Charger (for charging)

Pen (for writing)

UNDER STEERING WHEEL CONSOLE:

Car Park Ticket (for car park entry)

RIGHT DOOR POCKET:

CB Radio (for talking to Nat & Sads)

Handtowel (for wiping my hands)

LEFT SEAT POCKET:

UBD (for directions)

RIGHT SEAT POCKET:

Nothing (I can't reach)

UNDER FLOOR TRAY IN BOOT:

Touch Up Paint (For touch ups)

Allen Key Set (for assisitng Silverbullit & Northy with Milton Mechanics)

Gaffertape (The Brisbane guys will know why I have this)

[Buddha]

I'm a little disappointed in the glove box; the size would be ok if it was a better shape.

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A mate of mine has a Mazda 3 (I think a few people on this forum also know of a 3 nearby) ... personally I prefer the Rolla, but the 3's glovebox is just unbelievable.

For those who haven't seen it, its just like a normal glovebox at the front, but there is also a cavity behind that reaches almost back to the firewall. I can stick my whole arm in!

Cue the dirty jokes from those minds in the gutter ...

[shaohaok]

the storage for the corolla isn't too bad.

there are some cars in the same class that don't even have a centre console of any sort.

[Azza]

Sorry fella: I couldn't resist :P :P :P

Cue the dirty jokes from those minds in the gutter ... 

You started it :)

the storage for the corolla isn't too bad.

there are some cars in the same class that don't even have a centre console of any sort.

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I have to correct you here my fanatical photo taking friend, there really isn't any other car in it's class :P:P

I'm a little disappointed in the glove box; the size would be ok if it was a better shape.

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I prefer the walk-in robe style :P

(I think a few people on this forum also know of a 3 nearby)

Unfortunately :P

the storage for the corolla isn't too bad.

there are some cars in the same class that don't even have a centre console of any sort.

Shao - for $14,990.00 I bet that Digital Camera you are drooling over doesn't come with a centre console or glove box (at least not one you can reach your arm into....:P)

[shaohaok]

it's called a carrying case. better be a damn fine one, too

i think i can reach my hand into that

[SILVABULLIT]

I think Danthuyer is the only one with lollies in the glovebox for the little kiddies; or is that Michael?

[ck [03.14]]

nah i got lollies too in my glove box, some korean lollies.

how rice is that? haha :D

[Azza]

nah i got lollies too in my glove box, some korean lollies.

how rice is that? haha :D

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I have never seen rice wrapped in Plastic and branded 'Allens' before. :P

[ck [03.14]]

man these lollies ive got are so rice.

no one noes wat they are coz its as rice as they can get! hahaha :D